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An Australian man held in captivity for 15 months by Islamic militants in southern Philippines was freed Saturday. 54-year-old Warren Rodwell was released at Pagadian, a port city on Mindanao island, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of where he was kidnapped in Ipil town in December 2011. A police video showed an emaciated Rodwell …

Australia insisted Friday that it was “absolutely committed” to protecting the Great Barrier Reef following reports that the government had not done enough to preserve the marine sanctuary which is “in danger”. Environment Minister Tony Burke vowed to stop any coal port or shipping developments that would cause “unacceptable” damage to the reef in an …

Canberra and New Delhi are moving closer to a civil nuclear agreement that could pave the way for the sales of uranium to energy-hungry India as Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives in the Indian capital to start discussions on the deal. The agreement is a potential breakthrough for Australia’s nuclear trade which previously banned …

Australia brushed off concerns raised by the UN refugee agency on its new policy on asylum-seekers, saying it was “on track” with its plan to send people to Papua New Guinea, AFP reports. In a letter to Canberra, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres questioned whether Canberra’s move was “fully appropriate”, writing that, …

Sydney Daily surveyed 2,000 people on Australia’s immigration policies, finding some 50% in favor of putting an end to immigration, as the country’s population continues to increase from 19.6 million a decade ago to 23 million. Australia’s immigration programme is known for its lax policies in receiving immigrants to study and work in the country. Canberra …